$1200 I7 System

[elsh]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Tomorrow BUDGET RANGE: $1200

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: SQL Server, Excel w/ large datasets, Gaming @ 1900x1200, web surfing, graphic editing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would like to use a Core I7 CPU

OVERCLOCKING: Possible but not required, I want a powerful but stable system SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not right now, I could consider it later

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (1900x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This is my first build ever, though I have some experience swapping RAM, processors and a couple other parts. I've wanted to build for the past 5-6 years and I've finally gotten the money together. I need for this system to last me a few years. I am building this system to use it in class, I start SQL Developer training in a couple of weeks.

I would like to dual boot on this system with Windows 7 - 64 bit and Windows Server 2008.

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Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

MSI R4890-T2D1G OC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - OC Edition - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127427

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025

COOLER MASTER Hyper N 520 RR-920-N520-GP 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100008

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152102

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B - OEM
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view

 

[elsh]

Just in case it wasn't clear, I'd really love some feedback on my part selection :-D

 

[alberthynek]

hi. id say ur entire build is very solid, but since ur gaming at 1920*1200, u might consider eventually adding another 4890, so i would reccommend getting at least a 850w psu rather than the 750w. If u want great value and performance in your psu and u dont need it to be modular, than i would suggest corsair's tx850w

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=850tx

hope this helps man

 

[tecmo34]

My Recommendations:
RAM: OCZ Platinum 1600 over the Gold. The Platinum has better timings
HDD: Western Digital 640GB Black or 1TB Black over the Samsung.
HSF: Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283V cooler (I'm a fanboy on this one... )

I would get a 8-pin extension cord for your PSU. It will help with your cable management.

edit ^+1 alberthynek on changing PSU to Corsair TX850

 

[elsh]

hi. id say ur entire build is very solid, but since ur gaming at 1920*1200, u might consider eventually adding another 4890, so i would reccommend getting at least a 850w psu rather than the 750w. If u want great value and performance in your psu and u dont need it to be modular, than i would suggest corsair's tx850w

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=850tx

hope this helps man

Thanks! After all is said and done, it'll be an extra $20 to pick up the 850w PSU. I think that's a reasonable tradeoff for the ability to go SLI in the future.

 

[elsh]

My Recommendations:
RAM: OCZ Platinum 1600 over the Gold. The Platinum has better timings
HDD: Western Digital 640GB Black or 1TB Black over the Samsung.
HSF: Xigmatek Dark Knight S1283V cooler (I'm a fanboy on this one... )

I would get a 8-pin extension cord for your PSU. It will help with your cable management.

edit ^+1 alberthynek on changing PSU to Corsair TX850

HDD: Great thanks!
HSF: Great thanks!

RAM: The Gold ram is part of a combo if I go with the Platinum I have the option of swapping my card to one of the following options. Are any of them worth the price increase or cost savings? I couldn't find the 4850x2 on the graphics charts but all of that memory seems very attractive. It also makes me think I can postpone or even drop SLI. I also have the option of dropping the MSI 4890 for one of the two listed below:

SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video ... - Retail + $55 ($20 cash and I give up a $30 mail in rebate)

or

HIS H489FT1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Turbo OC Edition - Retail + $15

or

SAPPHIRE 100269SR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail +$10

 

[tecmo34]

Here are the charts... http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2362-6.html

The 4850x2 is the second most powerful ATI card. If you can afford it.. get at. If not just stick with your listed GPU

 

[elsh]

Thanks!

 

[Yoosty]

I would get a 8-pin extension cord for your PSU. It will help with your cable management.

+1 for Temco34 on 8-pin extension for PSU. You will need it for most bottom mounted PSU cases'. Here is the one you should get from NewEgg.

1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F $7.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812706004

 

[elsh]

+1 for Temco34 on 8-pin extension for PSU. You will need it for most bottom mounted PSU cases'. Here is the one you should get from NewEgg.

1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F $7.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812706004

Thanks alot man! It's in my shopping cart.

I'm really excited about this system.

Anyone else have some advice or recommended changes for me?

 

[Helloworld_98]

stick with the 4890, since 2x 4890 > 4x 4850's (same as 2x 4850 X2's)

 

[elsh]

I just took the $1306.42 plunge. Thanks for the help everyone! I'm really looking forward to having all of those packages arrive on my doorstep.